CONTACT: Jenna Wines
jwines@vamanufacturers.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 17, 2025
Virginians for Energy Diversity Supports Energy Choice Legislation
-Bills to Save VA Households $31,033-
RICHMOND, VA—Virginians for Energy Diversity endorsed two 2025 Virginia General Assembly bills. Delegate Israel O’Quinn and Senator Bill DeSteph introduced HB2699 and SB944, respectively, to ensure consumer energy choice in the Commonwealth. Both bills prevent local governments or public entities from restricting consumers’ access to natural gas, propane, and related services. The bills also direct the Virginia Department of Energy to evaluate fuel usage in infrastructure sectors.
Brett Vassey, President & CEO of the VMA, said, “Natural gas and propane are essential fuels and feedstock for manufacturers. We urge the Commonwealth to ban the ban on key energy sources that power our households, businesses, and infrastructure.”
A study by the Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) recently highlighted the costs associated with forced electrification. “With one in three Virginia households using natural gas for home heating, banning natural gas would be financially devastating to families who would have to pay upwards of $31,000 to involuntarily reconfigure their home and purchase new appliances,” Kevin Doyle, Vice President of State Affairs at CEA. “A ban on natural gas will inevitably increase energy bills; disproportionately harming the nearly 10 percent of Virginians who live at or below the poverty level, those in disadvantaged communities or on fixed incomes, and families and businesses still struggling to afford the basics after more than a year of soaring inflation and high energy prices.”
Virginians for Energy Diversity’s “Ban the Ban” campaign invites businesses and individuals to contact their legislators to ensure they vote “YES” on HB2699 and SB944.
To email members of the Senate’s Rules Committee, click here.
To email members of the House, click here.
About Virginians for Energy Diversity
The coalition is comprised of key manufacturing stakeholders in the Commonwealth. Led by the Virginia Manufacturers Association (VMA), a key legislative partner for the state’s manufacturing sector, Virginians for Energy Diversity advocates for freedom of choice, responsible usage, and informed policy regarding energy.
About the Virginia Manufacturers Association
The VMA develops and advocates for constructive public policies and supports a broad array of business services and programs to help ensure that Virginia manufacturing companies can be productive, profitable, and competitive in Virginia. Virginia’s 6,000+ manufacturers employ over 239,000 individuals, contribute $49.5 billion to the gross state product, and account for over 80% of the Commonwealth’s manufactured goods exports to the global economy. For more information about the VMA, visit vamanufactuers.com.